as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fall back
Lows are expected to fall back down to the 20s on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
—
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Both pitchers have a will to win and long careers of achievement to fall back on – Verlander with 20 seasons and Scherzer 18.
—Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Giovanna had fallen back asleep.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Little bursts of dub delay flare without warning, kicking up dust devils; every now and then, the telltale sweep of the pitch-bend wheel flicks upward like a fast-rising tide and then, after a minute or two, falls back into place.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Both pitchers have a will to win and long careers of achievement to fall back on – Verlander with 20 seasons and Scherzer 18.
—Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Giovanna had fallen back asleep.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Little bursts of dub delay flare without warning, kicking up dust devils; every now and then, the telltale sweep of the pitch-bend wheel flicks upward like a fast-rising tide and then, after a minute or two, falls back into place.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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Canadian national team skeleton coach Joe Cecchini has spoken out about the sudden national controversy surrounding his team's decision to withdraw athletes from an Olympic qualifier, costing American Katie Uhlaender a chance to make the Milan Cortina Winter Games.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Today, demand from institutional investors, corporate buyers, and long-term holders can contribute toward upward pressure on the Bitcoin price, especially when liquid supply is withdrawn or locked away.—
Jason Phillips,
Ascend Agency,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index retreated nearly 2%, leading losses in the region.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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The agents ultimately retreated without bringing Pretti into custody.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Gold’s price rallied near $5,600 per ounce in the morning before suddenly and briefly dropping back below $5,200.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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Road conditions are expected to remain hazardous Wednesday morning after temperatures drop back below freezing overnight, officials with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth said on Tuesday.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When this month the remains of the 32 Cuban combatants killed in Venezuela were brought back to the island, the government pulled out all the stops to give them a hero’s welcome.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
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Cecchini called Uhlaender the night before the race to inform her that four Canadians were pulling out.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Two of her fellow teacher-in-space contenders - both retired now - attended a memorial ceremony last week as the families of the astronauts gathered back at the launch site.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Adam Wainwright played for Team USA in the final year of his career in 2023, and Clayton Kershaw will play for America this year despite retiring after last season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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